Artisan
Artisan Series
Introducing Artisan
Each Artisan amplifier is designed to offer the widest range of classic vintage and boutique tones to the highest possible sonic standard. This is achieved by the design of electronic circuits that work in harmony with the finest components and materials available. All of the amplifiers are simple in their operation, and yet deceptively flexible in their functionality.
Valve tone refined
Artisan amps are inspired by some of the most revered guitar amps in history, refined by our decades of guitar amplifier design experience for the ultimate in valve tone.
In keeping with these iconic designs, we chose ECC83 and EF86 preamp valves. The ECC83 dual triode has an exquisite British vintage feel whereas the EF86 pentode valve was used in very early American guitar amplifier designs to provide unique gain and compression characteristics, the extra gain of the EF86 allows the power amplifier to be driven harder for more compression and rich harmonic distortion.
Built without compromise
Artisan amps are built to last a lifetime and effortlessly combine vintage style and rugged, road tested reliability. The point-to-point tag board construction, welded steel chassis and finger-jointed birch-ply cabinet are complemented by beautiful vintage red Tolex. The quality and attention to detail are evident throughout each amp, from the solder joints on each turret, to the ‘running wheat’ engraving design on the front panel.
Artisan 100
Artisan 100
- 100W head
- 4 x EL34 output valves
- 4-way Voice switch charts the timeline of 100W designs
Artisan 30H
Artisan 30H
- Class A 30W head
- 4 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel with 5-way Bass Shape switch and a ECC83 channel with 2-way Voice switch and Master Volume
Artisan 30
Artisan 30
- Class A 30W Combo
- 4 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel with 5-way Bass Shape switch and a ECC83 channel with 2-way Voice switch and Master Volume
Artisan 15H
Artisan 15H
- Class A 15W head
- 2 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel & ECC83 channel
Artisan 15
Artisan 15
- Class A 15W Combo
- 2 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel & ECC83 channel
Artisan 212
Artisan 212
- 120W / 8Ω Mono (Parallel), 16Ω Stereo extension cabinet
- Finger-jointed birch plywood construction
- Celestion Vintage 30 loudspeakers
Artisan 412A
Artisan 412A
- 240W extension cabinet
- Switchable mono 4Ω or 16Ω / stereo 2x8Ω
- Celestion Vintage 30 loudspeakers
Artisan 412B
Artisan 412B
- 240W extension cabinet
- Switchable mono 4Ω or 16Ω / stereo 2x8Ω
- Celestion Vintage 30 loudspeakers
Award winning amps
Unique Tonal Options
The Artisan 30 and 100 have additional voicing and bass shape controls to maximise the reference tones available from such classic designs.
Traditional Construction
From their handwired tagboard construction to seam welded 1.6mm steel chassis and 18mm finger-jointed birch ply cabinets, Artisan amps are built without compromise to the absolute highest standards of craftsmanship.
Channel Blending
The Artisan's topology allows the blending of channels. By paralleling the guitar connection to the inputs of Channel 1 and Channel 2 endless tonal variations can be explored.
Triode/Pentode mode
The Artisan 15 and Artisan 30 feature a triode/pentode mode switch to drop down to one third of the total output power, whilst introducing tonal subtleties and sought-after power amplifier harmonic distortion at lower volumes.
Chassis
The chassis of all Artisan amps are made out of seam welded 1.6mm steel for tank-like strength. They really will take on the life of an amp on the go, gig after gig.
Cabinet
Artisan wooden cabinets are constructed from 18mm finger-jointed birch ply. They are rigorously tested to ensure they really will hold up against anything you throw at them.
Impedance Selector
All Artisan models have an Impedance Selector on the rear panel that enables you to match the amplifier’s impedance to that of the connected speakers.
Two Valve Preamps
In keeping with some of the most revered designs in guitar amp history, we chose ECC83 and EF86 preamp valves. The ECC83 dual triode has an exquisite British vintage feel in terms of gain, compression and distortion.
The EF86 pentode valve was used in very early American guitar amplifier designs to provide unique gain and compression characteristics, the extra gain of the EF86 allows the power amplifier to be driven harder for more compression and rich harmonic distortion.
SKU
The Artisan 100 takes the boutique 100W design to a whole new level of flexibility. The Voice control is a timeline which chronicles the evolution of the genre from the earliest American designs through to British designs of the ’60s and ’70s. This is achieved by switching the preamplifier voicing and power amplifier damping simultaneously.
- 100W head
- 4 x EL34 output valves
- 4-way Voice switch charts the timeline of 100W designs
- Hi and Lo inputs perfect for channel blending
- Impedance selector
The award-winning Artisan 30 in a head format. The Artisan 30H takes the magical sonic qualities of the 30W EL84 power stage and distils it to a new level of tonal purity. One channel is built around an EF86 with a 5-way Bass Shape switch and the other an ECC83 with the addition of a Voice control for extra tonal flexibility. The Master Volume delivers the pure, natural crunch that you would expect from an amp of this quality.
- Class A 30W head
- Switch for 10W triode mode / 30W pentode mode
- 4 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel with 5-way Bass Shape switch
- ECC83 channel with 2-way Voice switch and Master Volume
- Hi and Lo inputs perfect for channel blending
- Impedance selector
There is something magical in the sonic qualities of the 30W EL84 power stage driving a pair of classic British speakers. The Artisan 30 takes this tone and distils it to a new level of tonal purity. One channel is built around an EF86 with a 5-way Bass Shape switch and the other an ECC83 with the addition of a Voice control for extra tonal flexibility.
- Class A 30W Combo
- Switch for 10W triode mode / 30W pentode mode
- 4 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel with 5-way Bass Shape switch
- ECC83 channel with 2-way Voice switch and Master Volume
- Hi and Lo inputs perfect for channel blending
- Impedance selector
- 2 x Celestion Vintage 30 speakers
The portable head version of the acclaimed Artisan 15 Guitar Amplifier. Two channels, one based on an EF86 Pentode and the other an ECC83 Triode, refine legendary vintage and boutique reference tones. The EL84 based power section is switchable between a 5W triode mode and a more dynamic 15W pentode mode configuration, for the ultimate in low power valve amplifier flexibility.
- Class A 15W head
- Switch for 5W triode mode / 15W pentode mode
- 2 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel
- ECC83 channel
- Hi and Lo inputs perfect for channel blending
- Impedance selector
The Artisan 15 – beautiful looks and beautiful tone. Two channels, one based on an EF86 Pentode and the other an ECC83 Triode, refine legendary vintage and boutique reference tones. The EL84 based power section is switchable between a 5W triode mode and a more dynamic 15W pentode mode configuration, for the ultimate in low power valve amplifier flexibility.
- Class A 15W Combo
- Switch for 5W triode mode / 15W pentode mode
- 2 x EL84 output valves
- EF86 channel
- ECC83 channel
- Hi and Lo inputs perfect for channel blending
- Impedance selector
- Celestion G12M Greenback (Also available with a Celestion Vintage 30)
The 2×12 cabinet is handwired and built to the highest standards using the finest materials. Every care has been taken with the design to ensure that it produces the best possible sounds and will really last a lifetime.
- 120W / 8Ω Mono (Parallel), 16Ω Stereo extension cabinet
- Finger-jointed birch plywood construction
- Heavy gauge wire
- Celestion Vintage 30 loudspeakers
The oversized vintage Blackstar cabinets are handwired and built to the highest standards using the finest materials. Every care has been taken with the design of these cabinets to ensure that they produce the best possible sounds and will really last a lifetime.
- 240W extension cabinet
- Switchable mono 4Ω or 16Ω / stereo 2×8Ω
- Handwired with heavy gauge wire
- Celestion Vintage 30 loudspeakers
The oversized vintage Blackstar cabinets are handwired and built to the highest standards using the finest materials. Every care has been taken with the design of these cabinets to ensure that they produce the best possible sounds and will really last a lifetime.
- 240W extension cabinet
- Switchable mono 4Ω or 16Ω / stereo 2×8Ω
- Handwired with heavy gauge wire
- Celestion Vintage 30 loudspeakers
“Based on this superb example, Blackstar is going to be a very hot name in guitar amplification.”
Nick Guppy
Music Radar
“If you are looking for a high-quality, low-powered valve combo that’s up there with the very finest American boutique amps, don’t hesitate to audition the A15.”
Music Radar Team
Music Radar
“Blackstar’s Artisan 100 promises the ultimate in classic Brit tone, a price that won’t break the bank. Is this the best hand-wired head you can buy? Probably.”
Guitarist Magazine